AI, through its algorithms, is a powerful tool for optimizing the logistical values chain. The sector is today at the very beginning of this technological revolution. The Cloudfret platform appears, today, a success model in the field of AI applied to logistics, which can inspire many others.
Forecasting of the request, automation of warehouses, optimization of delivery tours, visibility of transport, stock management: AI is able to be integrated throughout the value chain to increase productivity. According to a report by McKinsey drawing up the impact of AI on the supply chains, “The successful implementation of the management of the AI -based supply chain has enabled users to improve logistics costs of 15%, inventory levels of 35%and service levels of 65%, compared to slower competitors”.
Where are we then this new technological challenge? “The logistics sector is at the very beginning of awareness of the contribution of technology and AI”replies Driss Jabar, founder and CEO of Cloudfret, a platform for connecting between sender and freight carriers, aimed at the optimization of vacuum feedback from trucks (distance traveled without load), thanks to artificial intelligence. To do this, the company uses an ” matching Automatic between available charging offers and empty trucks. These are the widest platform in the region with more than 18,000 referenced trucks, representing 5,600 active users spread over 7 European and African countries (France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Morocco, Senegal and Mauritania). Cloudfret is today a model of Moroccan success in the field of AI applied to logistics and transport.
Miles still have to go
Many still remains to be made for a real awareness of operators of the importance of this tool in optimizing flows. For the CEO of Cloudfret, the usefulness of AI in logistics is not always assimilated by operators in the sector. The actors are waiting to see real cases of use of this technology. “And this is also the role of actors like Cloudfret to demonstrate by the reality of the facts that this could bring a real plus and a concrete optimization in the field “, Underlines Driss Jabar.
During the 12ᵉ Logism edition, scheduled from May 13 to 15 in Casablanca, our interlocutor intends to demonstrate how artificial intelligence allowed Cloudfret to accelerate its expansion on European and African markets. Especially since the adoption of daily technology is a real challenge. The founder of Cloudfret knows something about it: “ How to make sure that drivers, who are not used to the use of applications, can start their use? It was a big project. But, we were able to note this challenge because the carriers saw their interest in it. The use of our platform is the guarantee of an additional financial gain. This is what we managed to develop. And it’s win-win “he shares.
Better decision -making
In its report on AI and supply chains, McKinsey’s office confirms this same observation: “Transforming a supply chain is an ambitious approach, and companies must be fully aware of the challenges. However, the potential advantages are important: companies that are able to manage several specific areas in tandem will be positioned to obtain much greater visibility and better decision -making, all fueled by AI ”.
You should know that before the use of the Cloudfret platform, traditional players used the phone or email to be able to find trucks available for loading. Today, technology makes it possible to match thousands of opportunities without human interventions.
Since its launch in 2021, Cloudfret has raised, in total, 3 million euros. This financial windfall has made it possible to accelerate the development of the company, to position itself on the European and African market and to continue to improve the platform to allow the algorithm to be more efficient and to seek more opportunities abroad.
AI, engine of intelligent and scalable logistics
“With a team of barely twenty people, it is technology that allows us to effectively manage the flows of thousands of customers and to optimize the use of each truck”, explains Driss Jabari, founder of the startup. But the impact of AI goes far beyond the management of flows. Cloudfret also attacks a major challenge: optimization of the First Mile, the upstream phase of the logistics chain, often neglected and yet strategic.
“The First Mile alone represents almost 60 % of logistical costs. By digitalizing and automating this step, we significantly improve the overall performance of transportation ”, specifies Driss Jabari.
The beginnings of a logistical revolution carried by the AI
Morocco is only to the beginnings of the era of artificial intelligence, but the first experiments announce a deep transformation of the whole ecosystem. Logistics actors are starting to integrate AI into their economic models, with a vision resolutely turned towards performance and anticipation. “Our first use case consisted in intelligently exploiting the vacuum feedback from trucks. Then, we optimized the existing tours by analyzing the real flows to maximize profitability ”explains Driss Jabar.
Another decisive lever for this transformation is the automated capture of field data.
Thanks to the use of IoT sensors and on -board devices, Cloudfret can now follow the weight of trucks in real time, their geolocation or the precise moment of unloading. An advance that illustrates well the current digital turn, where AI does not replace humans, but gives them time and value. By positioning himself as a pioneer of this revolution, Cloudfret aims to become the leader in intelligent transport between Europe and Africa, while inspiring the whole sector to take technological jump.
